Transnational Organized Crime: Principal Threats and U.S. Responses (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
March 20, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RL33335 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
John R. Wagley, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
This report examines the growing threat of transnational organized crime to U.S. national
security
and global stability. The end of the Cold War -- along with increasing globalization beginning in
the 1990s -- has helped criminal organizations expand their activities and gain global reach.
Criminal networks are believed to have benefitted from the weakening of certain government
institutions, more open borders, and the resurgence of ethnic and regional conflicts across the former
Soviet Union and many other regions. Transnational criminal organizations have also exploited
expanding financial markets and rapid technological developments. In addition, terrorist networks
are believed to be increasingly supporting themselves through traditional crime, and have been
linked to criminal organizations. Alliances between the two groups could amplify threats to
American security. Transnational criminals engage in a spectrum of illicit activities, including
narcotics and arms smuggling, trafficking in persons, counterfeiting, and money laundering and other
financial crimes.
The report also outlines the U.S. response to international crime. While U.S. policy is framed
within the 1998 International Crime Control Strategy, it is also shaped by other more recent federal
and agency plans. Agencies heading government efforts include the Departments of State, Defense,
Justice, Treasury, and Homeland Security. Key federal programs and initiatives and their
interagency coordination are discussed. International cooperation and agreements are vital to U.S.
strategy; also, many programs seek to assist and train foreign law enforcement. Finally, this report
examines likely Congressional concerns related to U.S. efforts to combat transnational crime. The
report will not be updated.
